There’s no question that horses are commonplace in the region and backcountry, but precise numbers are not available.

When the last nationwide census of horses was done by an industry group in 2005, California’s equine industry was valued at $4.1 billion with nearly 700,000 horses, including race horses.

The recession prompted a nationwide downturn in the industry, including a 50 percent reduction in breeding and increasing numbers of abandoned or unwanted horses in recent years.

Most of the stabling operations in the county keep horses for pleasure riding or hunter/jumpers. Kimball said she believes that sector is poised for a resurgence, making the relaxed rules even more important.

Stiehl estimates there are “a few hundred” stabling operations in San Diego County that could fall under the ordinance. No one keeps a firm count, and many have operated under the radar in recent years because of the permit issue.

Eric Larson at the San Diego County Farm Bureau said anything that makes it easier for people to preserve and maintain a ranch lifestyle is welcome.

“There’s no need to have the amount of bureaucracy that’s existed,” he said.

Stiehl met with about four dozen stable operators on Thursday to go over the proposed ordinance. After hearing the details, Kimball, president of the equestrian foundation, says that will bring dozens of non-permitted stable operations — many of the mom-and-pop variety — into compliance.

“The county has done a fantastic job,” Kimball said. “The way it’s structured is going to give everyone the opportunity to become legal and continue operation. A few people might still have permitting issues, but for the most part the process will allow an easy for most to come into compliance.”

That’s also a key element. Before putting a halt on code enforcement while the ordinance was being developed, the county had 13 open cases. Stiehl said that once the ordinance is in effect, which is expected sometime this summer, most if not all of those cases should be easily resolved.

The tiers under the draft ordinance require no permit for stables that board three horses.

Stables with up to 50 horses would require a “zoning verification permit” that costs $1,000.

Keeping 51 to 100 horses would call for an administrative permit costing about $10,000, while more than 100 horses would require a major use permit that will start at about $15,000.

“People are also now going to be able to build stables,” said Kimball, who operates her Hunter Equestrian Center in Escondido.

The ordinance does not affect stables that existed before the 1970s. Those were “grandfathered in” when the equine ordinance was first adopted. It also doesn’t apply to vast expanses in the far backcountry, where zoning regulations differ and permits aren’t needed.

But for those where it does apply, the ability to board a friend or relative’s horse or run a stabling operation without an exorbitant permit cost is welcome in a largely cottage industry hit hard during the Great Recession.

“I’m really happy for the backyard and small stable horse owners,” Kimball said. “I think this is going to generate a lot of new revenue and raise property values. It’s beneficial for the horse community and the county.”

The ordinance and an accompanying environment impact document are available for public review starting this week.

Stiehl will shepherd presentations to community planning groups in the coming weeks, with an eye on taking the ordinance before the county Planning Commission in May and the board of supervisors in July.